CANTON — Differing positions on gun control and the state's finances were on view at a forum Tuesday attended by two Republican incumbents and one Democratic challenger seeking election to the state legislature.

The forum was held by the Canton League of Women Voters and was attended by Republican state Rep. Tim LeGeyt, state Sen. Kevin Witkos, and his Democratic challenger, Melissa Osborne.

LeGeyt represents the 17th House District, which covers Canton and part of Avon. He unopposed this year.

Osborne and Witkos, who are running for the 8thSenate District, disagreed on many issues. Osborne criticized Witkos for not supporting efforts to keep children away from firearms and measures to provide emergency contraception for rape victims. A law the legislature adopted in 2007 by a wide margin required hospitals to provide that assistance, but Witkos was among those who voted against it, according to legislative records.

"Kevin's votes do not reflect the values in this district," Osborne said.

Witkos said after the debate that he voted against the contraception bill because he believed the state was overstepping its bounds. Four hospitals in Connecticut are Catholic and the bill was initially opposed by the state's Roman Catholic bishops. Witkos said he saw the legislation as an attack on the church. He said a compromise offered by the church to have hospital staff give rape victims a prescription to get contraception once they left was a reasonable course of action.

"This had nothing to do with access and it was not a pro-life or pro-choice argument," Witkos said.

Witkos is seeking a fourth term, and before that served eight years in the state House of Representatives. He said his experience is an important attribute.

"The state's budget is going to be a daunting challenge and it will take experienced legislators to deal with it," Witkos said.

Osborne criticized Witkos' opposition to the law the legislature backed in 2009 that keeps machine guns out of the hands of those under 16. Witkos was one of just two legislators who voted against that bill. Wtikos said Tuesday he was concerned about the penalties that parents could face if it became law.

The issue came up when candidates were asked about the wider gun control law the state passed in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook school massacre in 2012. Witkos and LeGeyt voted against that bill and said Tuesday it will do little to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Osborne expressed concern about whether the gun control law could survive a Constitutional challenge, but said she sees a need for the legislation.

Wikos said the state is facing a substantial deficit in its budget next year. Candidates were asked their position on tax increases and spending cuts. LeGeyt said dealing with a budget deficit would likely require a mix of both but that he would focus on cutting state spending.

Witkos and Osborne said the state needs to deliver services more efficiently. But Osborne also said the state needs to focus on creating jobs, which she said would lead to more tax revenue. She said she particularly sees a need for more low-skilled jobs.

"More jobs in Connecticut is the solution to all the woes that we are talking about," Osborne said.